Had a call out for a pick up

Today I had received a text for a pick up, I called the number and a guy was wondering if I could pick up some metal from a house that he was redoing, I said yes.
When I got there I picked up an old water heater a large a/c window unit and the freon was already drained out of it and a old gas heater and a ceiling grid frame and some old metal shelving.
That load really made my day, see things around here where I am at is slow, but I still place my Craig's list ads like clockwork, so tomorrow I will haul it off and collect my money and start looking for another load.

Sounds good, just gotta keep at it even when it's slow.

Work on developing some commercial customers. Most that I have delt with successfully respond to me as you would expect any service business. (This advice is not aimed at you, I don't know you but as a general statement to anyone needing more business) Show up neat and clean. Respect the owner/manager's time. Here's my basic intro: My name is____, My business name is ____, I recycle metal and sepcialize in electronics(if appropriate for the business), The reason I am here today________(example:I am here to see if you can use a regular recycler,ewaste recycler(whatever seems best)

If you are shy or not accustomed to talking with people in business make a little note of what you want to say and practice it in front of a mirror. You must be looking at the mirror while you practice. Believe me this will make you a comfortable pro in no time. I used to be in corparete sales and this technique made all the difference.

The earlier part where I outlined your introduction was referred to as the "four rights of the customer". I was shocked to watch salesmen attempt to make a sale without even telling the customer their name or that of the company they represent.

Next is service, I try to operate "under promise and over deliver". Respond when your customer calls and show up when you are scheduled to be there,

With regular customers you don't have to waste time or gas and for me much larger loads. Lastly if you are not paying for scrap you are very likely missing out on large regular amounts of scrap.

On pricing read alot of the threads here and carefully consider the amount you will pay. I can tell you it is difficult to cut the price you are paying someone just because you are not being paid as much.

Sorry for the long winded post and sorry if I have overstepped onto your thread. 73 Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by miked

Work on developing some commercial customers. Most that I have delt with successfully respond to me as you would expect any service business. (This advice is not aimed at you, I don't know you but as a general statement to anyone needing more business) Show up neat and clean. Respect the owner/manager's time. Here's my basic intro: My name is____, My business name is ____, I recycle metal and sepcialize in electronics(if appropriate for the business), The reason I am here today________(example:I am here to see if you can use a regular recycler,ewaste recycler(whatever seems best)

If you are shy or not accustomed to talking with people in business make a little note of what you want to say and practice it in front of a mirror. You must be looking at the mirror while you practice. Believe me this will make you a comfortable pro in no time. I used to be in corparete sales and this technique made all the difference.

The earlier part where I outlined your introduction was referred to as the "four rights of the customer". I was shocked to watch salesmen attempt to make a sale without even telling the customer their name or that of the company they represent.

Next is service, I try to operate "under promise and over deliver". Respond when your customer calls and show up when you are scheduled to be there,

With regular customers you don't have to waste time or gas and for me much larger loads. Lastly if you are not paying for scrap you are very likely missing out on large regular amounts of scrap.

On pricing read alot of the threads here and carefully consider the amount you will pay. I can tell you it is difficult to cut the price you are paying someone just because you are not being paid as much.

Sorry for the long winded post and sorry if I have overstepped onto your thread. 73 Mike

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that's alright for the long thread, there is a lot that I can consider, but right now, I am not in the position in buying scrap from anyone, I just don't have the money to fork out in buying large quantities of scrap, so I advertise as free scrap metal pick up or haul off.
There are some people out there that see the word free they jump right on it, but I do see your point in starting a commercial deals and those accounts I would love to have on a regular basis.

After 7 years I have guys call me and I say how's it going and they go ohh just the rent lol even though the place Has been paid for since the 70s and some guys go give me a bid and I still walk away with what I came for or some jus say go look in the back which is nice

Don't let not paying for the stuff stop you from hitting up commercial accounts. I always love it when I come to a business an start with my sales pitch an before I get to the buying part, their handing me stuff to take.

I save the paying part for my back up plan sometimes to. lol. Some places will give you stuff for free all day, some just ask for a small donation(thrift stores), some want cash money. You don't know till you ask!

Find your local thrift stores an approach them if you haven't yet. Big ones an small ones. You may end up saving them money for the trash fees an such. If you have a place to dispose of glass from CRT's, you can do quite well an never pay a dime. ;)

Good luck!

Sirscrapalot - In order to be successful you will fail a time or ten. The true measure of a man is how he responds to said failure. - Me, but probably someone else, I'm not smart enough to think up such a brilliant quote.